Our cat doesn't jump on the benches or table at all even if there is food left on there so we ar lucky in that respect...she has been out on occasions but has never tried to jump the fence so maybe she is just not a jumper...who knows..... you can get cat proof fencing gadgets so they can't get out or cat runs so they only go outside in a confined area if the roaming thing worries you. When we have gone away for a fortnight or so, my folks have just visited once a day and fed the cats and checked the water/litter tray etc, they cope very well with that...get lots of smooches when we come home though!

As for furniture they can claw so a scratching post is good also they can be trained not to claw the furniture with various methods....